Mass Movement

Overview
„ Geomorphology
„ Slope Processes
„ Mass Movement (Mass Wasting)
 Geomorphology
„ The science of landforms
„ Origin
„ Processes of change

„ Distribution on the planet

„ Landforms are the product of

„ Forces that build up the landforms
„ Forces that wear it down or modify it
„ Denudation
„ weathering
„ mass movement
„ erosion, transportation and deposition
„ Gravity and moving air, water, waves, and ice
 Dynamic Equilibrium Model
„ Energy constantly flowing through landscapes
„ Potential energy: energy of position (gravity): uplift
„ Kinetic energy: energy of motion: hydrologic cycle
„ Heat energy: solar energy: sun
„ Chemical energy: from atmosphere and within the crust
„ Landforms are a balance between stabilizing forces
(friction, inertia, cohesion) and destabilizing forces
that can set things in motion
„ Cycle
„ Equilibrium stability
„ A destabilizing event
„ Adjustment
„ New equilibrium stability
 Slope
Processes

„ Erosion:
weathering
„ Transportation:
Mass wasting
„ Deposition:
Debris slope,
talus cone
 Mass Movements
„ Also called: Mass Wasting
„ Weathering prepares material for movement
„ Gravity sets material in motion
„ Steepness of slope
„ Friction and cohesive nature of the material
„ Angle of repose
„ Amount of moisture available
„ Characteristics of a particular mass movement
depend on speed of movement and amount of
water mixed with the material
„ Fall, slide, flow, creep
 Angle of Repose
„ The maximum angle at which slope material
can be inclined without moving downslope
„ It is a critical value for stability for a
particular slope
„ If the actual slope angle is less than the angle of
repose, the slope is stable
„ If the actual slope angle is greater than the angle
of repose, mass movement can occur
„ The angle of repose changes as slope conditions
(such as soil moisture) changes
„ The angle of repose can never be exceeded
„ Angle of repose can decrease under severe
motion (earthquakes) or saturation
 Types of Mass Movements
„ Rockfall
„ Loose rocks fall through the air, accumulate in a talus cone
„ High angle of repose
„ Debris avalanche
„ Rocks, debris and soil
„ Extremely high velocity
„ Water and ice often fluidize debris

„ Landslide
„ Unsaturated mass of bedrock and regolith that moves suddenly and
rapidly
„ Rotational slumping

„ Translational slides

„ Flows
„ earthflow
„ mudflow
„ Creep: a persistent movement of soil down slope
Rockfall
Rotational
block slump
Debris
avalanche
Debris avalanche
Soil Creep